About the author  ⁄ Dave Saunders

The end of last week was spent in Colonial Williamsburg, where I spent 1 1/2 days participating in the annual retreat for the National MS Society. I’m happy to announce that today — well, officially October 1st — the Central Virginia and Hampton Roads chapters have now combined to form a new entity, which will help more than 100,000 Virginians living with MS.

We continue to get great feedback on the Weekly Report, from people I see at church, to clients, to a cousin I haven’t seen in 3 years. We think of it as a way we can keep in touch with you, so I encourage you to reach out to us, whether if you want to hear about something new or if it’s an update we missed. Email us back your comments and feedback! #prettyplease

Last week was a GREAT week at M+M, full of great people, great projects and great clients. Here we go:

Monday (9/9) – Congrats went out from the entire team to VP Molly Quarles, winner of the “Above and Beyond Award” this week. Molly won a 3-way race by helping so much with the collection of building-related paperwork and guiding us through that big mess. Our recent purchase made the RTD.

I spent a large amount of time Monday at Uptown Alley:

1) Working with the UA team on social media consultation during the day

2) and watching Monday Night Football there after work.

Uptown Alley has Virginia’s largest TV, and it’s THE place to watch the NFL. Every game. Every Sunday. #TGIS (listen to Uptown Alley’s new radio spot here)

Tuesday (9/10) – Tuesday morning was busy and productive, thanks to Marketing Admin Lindsey Durfee’s amazing organizational skills. Tuesday afternoon was much less productive, thanks to my buddy Mike Caniglia, co-owner of Vera’s Fine Jewelers, who invited me to play golf Tuesday afternoon in support of Massey Cancer Center’s Breast Cancer Research. Some people shoot their age. I think I shot my weight.

Wednesday (9/11) – On Wednesday morning each of us took a few moments to pause and reflect about the terrible events that happened on September 11, 2001. Regardless of our age or position or connection to that event, we were all profoundly moved by the tragedy and continued to remember that freedom isn’t free.

I spent Wednesday morning with my Virginia CEO’s Roundtable peers, hosted by Keener Communications and it was a very informative morning. Special thanks to Fahrenheit Finance who provided us valuable information on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, more commonly referred to as Obamacare. Regardless of your politics, you have to agree with me that 2014 is going to be a big mess.

The afternoon was packed with meetings but on Wednesday night I got to have a Daddy daughter date with Hattie and was able to take her to our favorite sushi spot, Soya.

Thursday (9/12) – After my Lucy Corr Foundation board meeting on Thursday morning, I raced over to WRIC Channel 8 to be interviewed by the lovely, talented Amie McLain. We talked about this weekend’s Virginia Wine Festival.

Most of the M+M team will be up in The Plains this weekend for the fest. Yes, we will be working and yes, there will be wine; the Virginia Wine Festival will feature over 50 Virginia wineries and over 350 varieties. There are a few last minute tickets available here.


Dave gets interviewed by VCU Journalism students about the use of social media in the governor’s race on Thursday afternoon

On Thursday evening it was fun to catch up with friends and colleagues from the MS Society as we began our two-day annual retreat. While I was in Williamsburg, our entire Account Team topped it off with our friends at WWBT NBC 12 at the always trendy Hippodrome Theatre to view the new NBC fall line-up. Judging from the pics, a good time was had by all.

  
The Main-iacs on the red carpet with NBC 12 superstars Karla Redditte, Gray Hall, Jennifer Barbin and Andrew Freiden

Friday (9/13) – Friday afternoon as I drove back from Williamsburg, my head was spinning. I, along with the rest of the MS Society board, was amazed by Mark Fernandes, Chief Leadership Officer at Luck Stone and his presentation on Value Based Leadership. I cannot wait to share some of his insights to the rest of the team. Of course, if I have enough wine this weekend at the festival, I will be sharing leadership advice with anyone and everyone who is around me. Yes, I am a social wino.

 

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Well, summer is officially over and the Main-iacs and I celebrated a glorious three-day Labor Day weekend. And along with you, I sent the kids back to school on Tuesday. But, by now you should know that we packed five days of work into the four-day work week.

We have some very cool things coming up in September and I want to tell you about them. Please plan on attending one or both of these awesome events:

On Wednesday, September 18th please join us at Capital Ale House in Midlothian as we work to support the Lucy Corr Foundation during the Amazing Raise from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. We’ll have laptops set up and we’ll be working hard to raise funds to help support the organization.

Our September Media Mixer is also an event that you don’t want to miss. I’M ON A BOAT! Yes, it’s true, Madison+Main will hold our first Media Mixer on a boat from 5:00pm – 8:00pm on Wednesday, September 25th. Click here to RSVP on Facebook.

Monday (9/2) – Happy Labor Day!

Tuesday (9/3) – I successfully managed to dodge all 36 yellow buses that I encountered on the way into Rotary on Tuesday morning. It was a light crowd at the Double Tree by Hilton (formerly the Koger Center Holiday Inn), but the members who did attend were treated to a fascinating presentation by Richmond 2015 Marketing & Communications Director Lee Kallman. Lee updated us on the progress of the World Road Cycling Championships, which is now less than two years away! Check out their new look and website at www.Richmond2015.com.

Wednesday (9/4) – On Wednesday, Account Manager Kelley Miller, Client Services Coordinator Dustin Hennessy and I travelled to Irvington, Virginia and worked all day on-site at the corporate headquarters ofNorthern Neck Insurance. It was nice getting to know the Northern Neck team and it was a wonderful change of pace, compared to the hustle and bustle of the city.


On Wednesday morning Taylor, Marie, Sarah and Lindsey worked with VP of Capital Ale House Chris Holder to deliver pretzel grams to members of the media.

Thursday (9/5) – On Thursday, I continued my 5:00am wake-up streak by attending another early morning meeting, this time for Insider’s at the Commonwealth Club. The day was jam-packed with meetings, including a great discussion with Marly Fausz and Brian Chandler from Commonwealth PR, followed by a lively Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce board meeting and an even more lively Alberta Smith Sharks football practice. I was absolutely worn out.

Friday (9/6) – On Friday morning, we had a visit from Ashley and Brian Abplanalp, friends and clients who are launching a new marketing initiative. But the highlight of my day was receiving official word that I have just scored a pair of VCU Rams season tickets! #vcu #goramsgo #finalfour

If you’re nice to me, I might take you to a game… but ONLY if you’re a Rams fan.

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In honor of the Labor Day weekend (my favorite socialist holiday), I decided not to put a lot of effort into this week’s email. Sorry :P . There are several reasons for this: 1) I was on vacation for most of this week fishing in Ocracoke Island and 2) I’m still buried in paperwork.

Specials thanks to M+M’s Account Management team aka the Fab Five: Katie, Kelley, Kara, Sammy and Sarah for writing last week’s M+M Weekly Report. I think they did a fine job, but if you missed it you can find it here.

Monday (8/26) – On Monday I was fishing on the beach in Ocracoke Island, but the team released a series of gardening tip videos for one of our favorite clients, Yard Works. You can view them here.

Tuesday (8/27) – On Tuesday I was fishing on a different beach on Ocracoke Island, but at Madison+Main Senior Account Manager Katie Hurst worked with our friends from Broadscope Media on location at Lucy Corr Village in Chesterfield County, where they filmed their latest TV ad.

Wednesday (8/28) – On Wednesday I was fishing on a boat near Ocracoke Island, but at Madison+Main the guys and gals took a few minutes out of their busy day to thank super intern Emily Farrar for a phenomenal summer and wish her well as she moves back to Virginia Beach.

The Main-iacs and our summer interns wish Emily Farrar a Farrar-well

Thursday (8/29) – On Thursday I stopped fishing and drove back from Ocracoke Island, but at Madison+Main the team met with our friends Steve Young and Nan Choi from CBS 6 to learn about their fourth quarter sponsorship opportunities. Thanks to Steve and Nan for dropping by!

Friday (8/30) – On Friday I stopped thinking about Ocracoke Island and plowed through hundreds of emails and about a dozen follow up calls, stopping only briefly to meet two of our new Fall interns; Shay Kazi from VCU and Marie Sicola from the University of Mary Washington.

As we head into the end of summer and Labor Day weekend, I wanted to tell you about an event in September, the Women on the Move Luncheon, benefiting the Central Virginia Chapter of the MS Society. It will be held at the Richmond Marriott on Thursday, September 19th from 11:30 – 1:30pm. Madison+Main is sponsoring a table in honor of the MS Society and two of our clients who were nominated for this prestigious award. Congrats to Melissa Ball, President of Ball Office Products andDebra Q. Marlow, Executive Director of the Lucy Corr Foundation.

Please join Madison+Main and the MS Society as we celebrate these dynamic women in Central Virginia. You can buy tickets online here, however the website is a mess, so it is probably easier if you call them at (804) 591-3036.

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The word of the week last week at Madison+Main was “reality.” One of our clients appeared in a Reality TV Series. We made a video for another client that looks like Reality TV and, with three new clients to announce in the historically slow month of August, we feel that the 4th quarter is about to “get real.”

We continue to get positive feedback on our M+M Weekly Report, which now reaches more than 4,000 people. I spoke earlier with Carlton Revere, Vice President of Hartfield, Virginia-based Revere Gas, a highly respected community-based brand that has been serving the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula for more than 70 years. Thanks Carlton for the kind words!

Our client Debbie Johnston, President of Care Advantage, was revealed as RVA’s Secret Millionaire on Sunday night. Click here to see the 10-second spot made by her employees to congratulate her.

Monday (8/12) – On Monday, VP of Operations Molly Quarles and I dropped by the Redskins Training Camp and we were delighted to see such big crowds. Despite a full day of work, I was able to make my first Midlothian Rotary Executive Board Meeting in over a year. #shameonme

On Monday, we released a new online video that we created for M. L. Bell Construction in Ashland, which features President Mike Bell. Click here to see the HGTV-style video.

Tuesday (8/13) – On Tuesday morning the Main-iacs dressed in their best business finery and it was the best this “causal crew” has looked in years. We had a photographer on-site snapping away candids of us in our new offices. Everyone, except me, wore make-up.

We’re also pleased to put the finishing touches on WestportBigandTall.com’s TV ad, which features 17 very talented 4th and 5th graders. Click here to see the video and see if you recognize any of the Madison+Main-iacs.

Tuesday afternoon it was Care Advantage President Debbie Johnston who got the star treatment, as we filmed a short documentary of her on-location, at her childhood home in Varina. After work, it was football practice for Jack and the Sharks… just like every night.

Wednesday (8/14) – On Wednesday, I shipped wife Sue back to jolly ole’ England, or more specifically, the Isle of Man, to visit her family. That means I’m playing “Mr. Mom” for two weeks. Oy vey!

On Wednesday morning, I was fortunate to hear Dennie Bickmyer, President and CEO of Richmond International Raceway, as he delivered a great address at the Chesterfield Chamber’s Luncheon. As always it was good to see one of my favorite clients, Debra Q Marlow, Executive Director of Lucy Corr Foundation after the luncheon.

Thursday (8/15) – On Thursday I was able to reconnect with a long lost client, Kelly Garrett and learn about her new company, however I’m bound by an NDA so I cannot tell you where she works or what we talked about. Details will come soon though, I promise.

Madison+Main was pleased to sponsor coverage of the Washington Redskins on ESPN 950 AM all day Thursday. Our new ad, advocating a new ballpark for the Flying Squirrels, was the lunchtime topic as Matt Josephs interviewed me on the Border to Border show.

The crew at ESPN950 AM with AE Sarah Dawes Murphy at Skins Training Camp

We are always happy when new faces come to Madison+Main and sad when to see faces leave us and Thursday afternoon we said farewell to rock star interns Alana Robinson and Matt Richardson. Adios Brochachos.

Friday (8/16) – Hot off the heels of her Show Choir “boot camp,” my daughter Hattie (a future TV star), joined me at the office on Friday and it was delightful having her here. But until she becomes a DIVA, we’ll keep making her work cleaning up the office, clipping business cards and filing stuff. Chris Kutcher aka Ashton Kutcher said so.

And always remember that Sammy is a NINJA.

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It was a casual Friday at Madison+Main and I wore a Howard’s Pub t-shirt and flip flops so life was exactly how it should be. Last week was another busy, yet productive, week at Madison+Main, and just like most weeks it started on a Monday. :)

  

It’s casual Friday and I’m already dreaming of vacation.

Monday (8/5) – After the infamous MMMMM (Madison+Main Monday Morning Meeting), I sat down for an interview with NBC 12′s ace investigative reporter Rachel “Rough ‘em Up” DePompa, who has been working on a report of Richmond’s marketing deal with the Washington Redskins and Bon Secours Training Camp.

On Monday evening I attended an organizational meeting for Citizens for Chesterfield Students, a citizen action group backing Chesterfield’s Bond Referendums, coming to a ballot near you this Fall. I’m working to help make Chesterfield schools better and I could use your help, so call me at (804) 521-4141 or email me at davids@madisonmain.com, if you’d like to get involved.

Tuesday (8/6) – On Tuesday I missed my weekly Midlothian Rotary meeting, but this time I didn’t oversleep. I was at the Village Bank headquarters on Midlothian Turnpike bright and early at 7:00am, giving a presentation on email marketing at the Chesterfield Chamber’s “Coffee Talk.” Thanks to Chamber member Richard Swed for organizing the event, which featured Howard Deskin from Impression Marketing, Joe Elias from Little Big Business Solutions and Dee Dee Van Buren from T.A.C. Solutions.

Also on Tuesday, we were excited to announce that super client Virginia Women’s Center launched their new mobile website, with help from our strategic partners at ByteJam. Check out the site here if you’re reading the report on a smart phone.

Wednesday (8/7) – Speaking of ByteJam, the company’s President and Founder dropped by on Wednesday for a company-wide “Lunch & Learn” on responsive website design. Lin Borkey and his team at ByteJam are great partners and it was a very informative training session.

The sun on Wednesday shined as bright as the West Texas sun, as my personal ray of sunshine VP of Operations Molly Quarles graced us with her presence, visiting us from her office in Texas. It’s been awesome having Molly Marie here all week. And this time she brought her twin sister Millie.

In sports news, the Richmond Redskins won their first preseason NFL game 22-21 against the Tennessee Titans with a 4th quarter touchdown run by 4th string Quarterback Pat White, who I have since nicknamed PW1.

Thursday (8/8) – On Thursday news broke of M+M client Debbie Johnston, President of Care Advantage, and her upcoming appearance on ABC’s hit show Secret Millionaire. Click here to see the great article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, written by one of their best, Carol Hazard.

Thursday ended with a very productive football practice for the Alberta Smith Elementary School Sharks, where Art Director Scott Harris and I are assistant coaches. Molly and I had the fortune of dining at The Daily Kitchen and Bar, Carytown’s newest dining hot spot.

Members of the ASE Sharks do warm-ups on Thursday night. Outside Linebacker/Tight End Jack Saunders is at bottom left.

Friday (8/9) – We got rave reviews last week for our most recent TV ad for Bath County Tourism, thanks to Noah Pearcy and our partners at Broadscope Media. If you watch the spot, you will see a familiar face or two. “Mother and Daughter” stars VP of Brand Strategy Kara Forbis and her 4-year old daughter Sutton, who is too cute for words.

Kara and Sutton star in the County of Bath’s new TV spot.

Friday, I was able to bring in my daughter Hattie, who is a rising sophomore at Manchester High School’s Mass Comm. program, so she got some “on the job training” at the office.

I capped off the busy work week by rewarding myself and slapping down a deposit for VCU Ram’s Basketball Season tickets. #VCU #GoRamsGo #EmptyWallet

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New places, new spaces and new faces. Last week was a busy week at Madison+Main, we welcomed a new Account Manager, visited some new places in Bath County and hosted 90 of our closest personal friends at our new space. By the way, this edition of the Weekly Report was brought to you by Morton’s… just kidding, but maybe I’ll get some free steak sammie’s out of the mention?

Monday (7/15) – Last Monday actually started on Sunday when the crew and I traveled to the beautiful Fort Lewis Lodge in Millboro, Virginia. Thanks to Bath County Tourism Director Maggie Anderson for hosting us during our two-day TV shoot with Noah Pearcy from Broadscope Media. The spot will be done in a couple of weeks. Patience, people.

Check out VP of Brand Strategy Kara Forbis‘ daughter, Sutton, at the County of Bath TV commercial shoot!

During my absence in the office on Monday, we welcomed our new Account Manager Kelley Miller, a creative-minded, project managing, butt-kicking addition to our all-star account team. Feel free to drop by or email Kelley to welcome her to the team!

Tuesday (7/16) – On Tuesday I was back in the office… for about five minutes. We met our client, Tom Altieri from Westport Big & Tall, the Charlotte, North Carolina based retailer of “really nice clothes for big guys.” Special thanks to the wonderful people at Collegiate School for allowing us to film at the new Hershey Center for the Arts building and also to the 15 super talented “junior” actors who starred in the spot. This ad will be running in the top five US markets: New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago and Atlanta, so you won’t see it in Richmond but I will post a YouTube link for you to see it next week.

On Tuesday I also got to meet St. Catherine’s stellar students Abby Williams and Meredith Thomas, two rising seniors at the independent Episcopal, all-girls college preparatory school in Richmond, who interned with us last week. They are two very nice young ladies with very bright futures.

Wednesday (7/17) – On Wednesday I spent most of the day catching up on long overdue emails, reports and various other pieces of correspondences, but managed to meet with the super talented freelance creative director, Carolyn McGeorge, prior to hosting the July Media Mixer. Carolyn joined me, the Main-iacs and dozens of friends and clients as we stocked the bar and showed off our new digs. Somehow, someway, we still have some liquor leftover. Let me know when you want to stop by for a drink!

American Family’s Liz Hill, Sr. Account Mgr. Katie Hurst and new Account Mgr. Kelley Miller share a laugh at the M+M Media Mixer!

Thursday (7/18) – On Thursday we had a great meeting with our contacts at the CAA then worked on campaign concepts for Capital Ale House’s Oktoberfest. Yes, it’s July and we’re planning for Oktoberfest. :)

I finished the day with my two best girls – daughter Hattie and wife Sue – and brought them to Morton’s.Sean, RVA’s best bartender and Acree, newly minted GM of Morton’s, asked me to share what a great deal their Savor the Summer promotion is. A four course meal for only $49 bucks!  (That’s not a typo, dinner for less than $50 at RVA’s best steakhouse!)

Friday (7/19) – It was a quasi-typical Friday at Madison+Main; most people wore jeans and Digital Marketing Mgr. Dorsey McFadden brought her dog Pippin to work. At lunch, I managed to reconnect with Lin Borkey, President of ByteJam, one of the best web and app shops anywhere. Check out their amazing portfolio.

I spent the rest of Friday afternoon in the recording studio at Motomuzika, working with super producer and M+M friend Bill Grishaw.

 

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Last weekend I celebrated one of the most amazing Independence Days in our nation’s 237 year history. The weekend was full of family, apple pie and fireworks, which we purchased legally in South Carolina at South of the Border and then vicariously smuggled into Midlothian, where “bombs burst in the air.” My wife Sue, a LEGAL resident alien and British national, was so insprired by my patriotic fireworks display that she filled out her INS citizenship paperwork and is seeking to become a U.S. citizen.

We will be celebrating in style again next Wednesday, July 17th at the July Media Mixer, which is a “Stock the Bar” event, so bring your favorite bottle of something!

Last week was a bang-up week at Madison+Main as well…

Monday (7/8) – On Monday morning I participated in a ton of creative concept sessions for some of our favorite clients like Lucy Corr Village, First Bank and Capital Ale House and then after work I rearranged some furniture in our new building.

On Monday afternoon, we released a sneak preview of some of the creativity; our new TV spot for Richard Bland College. Special thanks to our friends at BES Studios who helped put this together. There are two versions on our YouTube channel, if you have a slow computer click here and see the spot in standard resolution or click here if you’d like to see it in HD. We’d love to get your thoughts on the new spot!

Tuesday (7/9) – I spent a good amount of time surrounded by tons of 4th and 5th grades who we are casting for a new TV ad that we are doing for Westport Big & Tall, a Charlotte, North Carolina based clothing retailer.

Darius

This is Darius Reed, son of part-time M+M copywriter Michelle Reed and the cutest kid on the planet. He will be in the westportbigandtall.com ad next Tuesday.

We also got great news on Tuesday morning that Art Director Jeff Smack and his lovely wife, Lyndsay, welcomed their second child and first son Henry into the world. He came in weighing a whopping 9-½ pounds! Both Mommy and Daddy are doing great, and Henry is too cute for words.

In swimming news, the mighty Bayhill Pointe Torpedoes lost a heartbreaker to the Queensmill Quackers on Tuesday night by a score of 1264 to 1188.

Wednesday (7/10) – On Wednesday morning we played host to my roundtable of the Virginia Council of CEO’s. Special thanks to the guys and gals at work who helped us clean up all the moving boxes to prepare for their visit and who were inconvenienced all morning while we denied them access to snacks. #oops

On Wednesday afternoon Account Executive Sammy Yatco, Graphic Designer Colleen Festa and I made a field trip to Foundation Basketball’s new West End location to look at ways to improve their internal and external signage. Foundation’s 12,000 square foot facility was a beehive of activity with 50 kids improving their B-ball skills.

Thursday (7/11) – On Thursday morning I attended my twice-monthly networking group at Insiders and solidified by Foursquare Mayorship of the Commonwealth Club. J.A. Heisler Contracting Co., Inc.’s President John Heisler gave a great presentation on the challenges that architects, engineers and general contractors face when dealing with the permit process.

Also special thanks to documentary film producers Justin Snyder and Justin Rossbacher from Abandon Films in Lynchburg, Virginia who treated the Main-iacs to a delicious Moore’s Country Store hotdog buffet. My face is still burning from the chili. Thanks dudes!

Friday (7/12) – There was a lot of hustle and bustle at the office on Friday, but I decided to play hooky and took my sister and nieces to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and several other points of interest in RVA, which reminded me just how cool of a place we all live, work and play in.

Thanks for all the positive feedback on the M+M Weekly Report, I appreciate it. Remember to follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/madisonmain.

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According to the weatherman, last Wednesday was the hottest day of the year so far, which is entirely appropriate considering things have been heating up at M+M! We received an unexpected SEVENTH Telly Award, launched two new TV spots and, yes, we bought a building. It was a good week. :)

We should have everything moved in by July 17th when we host the July Media Mixer at our new digs: 101 East Cary Street.

I was delighted to get an email from my good friend Jonah Holland, Marketing Director at Lewis Ginter, who dialed me in on some cool new info on their summer-long Butterflies Live event. To celebrate America on July 4th, Butterflies Live will run all day… and it’s FREE!

Last week was a scorcher:

Monday (6/24) – On Monday we shot a cool new video for M L Bell Construction, on the site of one of their latest projects, Sette Pizza in Shockoe Bottom. You can read about the Sette project (soon Sette will be changing their name to 23rd & Main Kitchen and Taproom) here on Richmond.com. We will debut the video in a couple weeks. Special thanks to super stars ML Bell’s Mike Bell and the lovely, talented Meghan Mayfield, the hostess with the mostest.

Also special thanks to Tom Earle at Cloud Solutions Group and the team at NTS who got our internet and phone service working Monday after the “big move,” since Windstream/Paetec let us down… again. Normally I try to keep the M+M Report positive, but seriously folks if you ever need a phone or Internet system, please DO NOT use Windstream. They are the worst company ever. If you don’t believe me, check out the 1,461 complaints on the Better Business Bureau website…. Yeck.

Tuesday (6/25) – On Tuesday VP of Brand Strategy Kara Forbis, Account Executive Sammy Yatco and yours truly drove to Winchester to meet with our clients at First Bank. It was a productive meeting and CEO Scott Harvard treated our team to Bonnie Blue Southern Market & Deli, reportedly the BEST barbeque in the northern Shenandoah Valley.

First Bank’s Scott Harvard and the guys from Bonnie Blue pose with their new red First Bank umbrellas.

On Tuesday night I played “Dr. Dad” to my daughter Hattie, who’s been under the weather this week. There’s nothing sadder than a teenager with Mono. She swears she didn’t kiss any boys. ;)

Wednesday (6/26) – On Wednesday we put the finishing touches on a new TV spot for Richard Bland College that will start running on broadcast and cable next week. Special thanks to Dr. Debbie Sydow and her team at Richard Bland College, who are a pleasure to work with.

While I’m already in the “thank you” mode, let me send a special thank you to Village Bank President and CEO Tom Winfree for taking me out to lunch at Crab Louie’s on humpday. I continue to be impressed with the Midlothian-based bank, the “village people” and their leadership team.

Thursday (6/27) – On Thursday I spent time with the Account team finalizing a brand and marketing strategy report for our good friends at Foundation Basketball. I can think of no higher endorsement other than I send my son, Jack, to Foundation. We are big fans of Coach David Anderson and his team. Foundation offers a great summer camp at a ridiculously low rate, only $149 per week! Call (804) 614-5070 or check out their website and get your kids out of the house this summer.

   

Look what arrived on Thursday!

Friday (6/28) – I wrote about a hundred emails on Friday and sent dozens of apologies to people I had ignored in the last couple of week’s; moving is one of the most stressful and time consuming things.

I’m just glad it’s over. Now back to productivity.

Dave Saunders

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I was reminded by a friend of mine recently that in the future, I’ll look fondly back on swim meets that last eight hours. He said “you’ll miss those days sooner than you think.” Thanks to my good buddy and LeClairRyan super lawyer Will Shewmake for giving me a different perspective this week. That advice, and a tall glass of Maker’s Mark helped me get through two hours of recorder practice last night.

Cherish the small moments, as well as the big achievements, and you’ll make memories. We’re currently making memories of our own at Madison+Main. We continue to get positive feedback for the Weekly Report and we’re grateful for it. If you have a charity, non-profit or other event that we could highlight to our now 4,800 subscribers, please let us know. We’d love to help out.

Monday (6/10) – On Monday we finished up Davis & Green Electrical’s new TV spot with our friends at Trademarkey Films. Greg Green did a great job. Special thanks to the 25 or so friends who appeared in the spot as extras and worked late into the night. Well, 10:30 pm is past MY bedtime. The new spot, Don’t Be Left in the Dark, will be up next week! :)

Tuesday (6/11) – Tuesday was mostly hustle and bustle, but I did get to spend some time with pal Mark Creery, CEO of Data Directions, one of our valued Strategic Partners. We’re working on another joint venture…details to come, once the ink is dry on the contract.

Lindsey and I got to spend some “quality time” together because the two of us had to drive to Danville and back, meeting with Ben Rippe, Owner of Rippe’s, a Danville fashion institute over a 100 years old. Click the link to visit this cool, one of a kind retail store’s Facebook page. We also stopped by Lynchburg and now Lindsey is a super rabid fan of the Texas Inn.

Wednesday (6/12) – On Wednesday I spent the morning with my monthly Virginia Council of CEO’s Roundtable group, thanks to Mr. Fix-it, CEO Mark Binshtock for hosting. I also attended a lively Chesterfield Chamber Luncheon where I heard a very informative presentation on the RMA (Richmond Metropolitan Authority) but my thoughts and concerns were with Art Director Jeff Smack who suffered through a couple of hours in the dentist chair. I know what that’s like #ouch.

We also finished up Howell’s Heating & Air’s latest TV spot, called “Secrets.” Click here, watch it and tell us what you think. I think this may be the funniest spot I’ve produced in over 20 years in this business, but Shhh don’t tell anyone.

Thursday (6/13) – On Thursday morning I attended my first Lucy Corr Foundation meeting as Chairman. I sit on several non-profit boards but this is the first one I’ve been asked to lead, poor people… they don’t know what they’re in for.

I’d also like to send a big thank you to Comcast Spotlight super rep Karen “Fun Bags” Newmyer, Karen always brings a bag full of fun. She joined our entire Account Team making client deliveries Thursday afternoon. Click here to see the photo album.

Friday (6/14) – Friday morning, Recorder aficionado Jack Saunders graduated 5th grade at Alberta Smith Elementary. He received five separate awards during the ceremony, and I lost two buttons off my vest. #proudpapa.

Here’s Jack getting ready to graduate.

Friday was the last day of school for most area students, if you have a child who plays or wants to play basketball this summer be sure to check out Foundation Basketball Group. The first summer camp starts this Monday and goes all summer, click here to sign up.

We want to give a special congratulations to client, Mike Bell from M. L. Bell Construction who threw the ceremonial first pitch at Saturday night’s Flying Squirrel’s game against the Reading Fightin Phils.

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In the words of the seemingly immortal Charlie Sheen, last week was a #WINNING week at Madison+Main. From Monday to Friday, from the top to the bottom and from clients to partners to vendors, it was a week where we had tiger blood coursing through our veins (can you believe its been two years since Charlie Sheen flipped out?)

Monday (6/3) – On Monday Art Director Jeff Smack took a well-deserved day off, after leading his MS Bike team “Team Stelliza” on a 150-mile, two-day bike race to and from Williamsburg. Jeff, with the support of his teammates at Madison+Main, raised over $1,000 dollars individually and his team pulled in over $6,000 dollars to support those living with MS.

Jeff - 2013 Bike MS: Ride Virginia

Art Director Jeff Smack riding to Williamsburg, Virginia for Bike MS: Ride Virginia

The 32nd Annual Vintage Virginia Food and Wine Festival was also a big winner last weekend, our hard work PR and marketing services for festival producer, Across-the-Way Productions, seems to have paid off with attendance increasing substantially from last year’s festival. With one festival down, we set our sights on the Virginia Wine Festival, which is set for September 14th and 15th at the Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia.

Tuesday (6/4) – Madison+Main’s winning streak continued Wednesday morning as Digital Marketing Manager Dorsey “D-MAC” McFadden delivered a stellar performance at the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce’s “Coffee Talk,” where she dropped social media knowledge bombs on the crowd and wowed them with her knowledge of LinkedIn.

I spent most of the day hanging out with VP of Brand Strategy Kara Forbis, Account Executive Sammy Yatco, Art Director Scott Harris and our friends at Broadscope Media producing our 2nd TV spot for Howell’s Heating & Air. A new service tech from Howell’s and a new family will be featured in this spot, but never fear, our wacky “Waaay to Comfortable” scene continues. This spot should be ready in a couple of weeks and I’ll share it with you then.

The stars of the new Howell’s Heating & Air TV Ad

Wednesday (6/5) – On Wednesday we were thrown for a loop first thing in the morning when some brilliant person from the brilliant construction company who is working on the brilliant hotel next door, brilliantly cut our cable fiber, which killed our phone and internet line. But to prove that the Madison+Main-iacs are a resilient bunch, we took the time to cleanup, file and generally organize our office. Below is a photo of the gals fixing the supply room.

  

 Without phone and internet, our supply room was the hub of activity on Wednesday

Thursday (6/6) – We had planned on making our big announcement on Wednesday but because of the lack of Internet and phone, we were a communications firm without the ability to communicate. On Thursday we were thrilled to announce that we were the recipient of six coveted Telly Awards, 2 silver and 4 bronze. The Telly Awards are essentially the Oscars of the TV production awards… in fact, the same company that makes them also makes the Emmy’s. We were told that our trophies are “in the mail.” Speical thanks to the Colonial Athletic Association, First Bank, Yard Works and Capital Ale House for allowing us to produce some award-winning work for them. #winning To see the award-winning spots click here.

Friday (6/7) – Friday was a busy day: we went shopping for office furniture at Ball Office Products and worked on a Press Release for Ball Office Products, talked to both owners of Ball Office Products and ordered some office products from Ball Office Products. By the way, congrats to our good friends Jonathan and Melissa Ball on their new super huge office and showroom on Westmoreland Street. Remember folks, Jonathan and Melissa are not only clients, but we consider them friends, and its good to see a local company succeed against the “big guys.” Just click here, order some stuff and you’ll get some cookies… promise!

We had a ball shopping for office furniture at Ball Office Products, pun intended.

 

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